Cbs Sportsline Packages Will Fulfill Most Fantasies

SHARON ROBB On Cybersports

March 9, 1997|SHARON ROBB

Who's on First?

CBS SportsLine has one of the Internet's more comprehensive Fantasy Baseball League packages for $39.95, complete with a SportsLine Commissioner. Included in the package is the Advance Scout, the fantasy research headquarters for all fantasy fans; Fantasy Baseball LIVE, which lets players follow members of their own fantasy teams during every major league game; and SportsLine Baseball Challenge, where fantasy members can compete for prizes.

One of the more unique elements is Fantasy Baseball LIVE, which shows the action of customized fantasy team players as they bat or pitch. Player tracking lets users monitor players by receiving daily scouting reports by e-mail.

The SportsLine Commissioner is an all-inclusive package that allows fans to run their own fantasy leagues. The Commissioner keeps track of drafts, transactions, scoring, statistics, reporting and more.

"Fantasy baseball continues to grow in popularity across the country,''said CBS SportsLine CEO Michael Levy. "While our fantasy baseball coverage was wildly successful last year, we have significantly upgraded the depth and variety for 1997."

The package also allows fans to track drafted players from rookie ball to the big leagues.

It's Showtime

CBS began its venture with Fort Lauderdale-based SportsLine USA at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday with a new look and a new name, CBS SportsLine. The TV network's initial investment is $100 million of on-air promotions and programming. It will initially own 22 percent of the service with the option to increase its equity to 33 percent.

The service will add to its 90,000 pages of content with access to CBS game highlights. It might show live games. Instead of huge start-up costs, CBS became a leader in the on-line business overnight. It's a similar relationship ESPN has with Sportszone. CBS SportsLine will start promos during the NCAA Tournament.

CBS SportsLine gains access to the information, archives, and production resources of CBS Sports, which is expected to challenge ESPNET SportsZone with a more polished look. However, through MSNBC, Microsoft has connected to parent company General Electric. It's establishing an innovative sports company in New Jersey, which means the on-line wars are just heating up.

Now hear this

AudioNet, the largest broadcasting network on the Internet, is making nice waves. Web users are now able to listen to live broadcasts of more than 150 radio and television stations and play-by-play of sporting events of over 100 college and pro teams. Audio Net has already successfully broadcast the last two Super Bowls, 1996 World Series and NHL Stanley Cup. Computer users with Internet access can hear audio programming in real-time as it arrives over a modem. Listeners need Real Audio software, which is available to download free of charge from the AudioNet web site located at http://www.AudioNet.com.

More bytes

Check out idog97 for a comprehensive look at the Iditarod. There's background on Alaska's grueling dog race, discussions and reports on standings, weather and trail conditions.The most interesting feature is the personal accounts of Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reporter Brian Patrick O'Donoghue. The official Iditarod site is http://www.iditarod.com, where you can order musher T-shirts, hats, videos and other souvenirs. ... Fill out a questionnaire about your game and get tips for improving it with some help from the editors of Golf Magazine at www.golfonline.com.

Let's chat

America Online is beefing up its live chat sessions. Weekly baseball chats begin this week in ADBATBOY chat room and will continue throughout the season. ... What's with all the old 1980s retreads showing up in spring training? Is there a talent shortage in baseball? National League columnist Bob Nightengale gives his offbeat perspective Thursday at 10 p.m. in The Sporting News chat room. He tells us the greatest player he ever covered was George Brett; greatest hitter, Tony Gwynn; greatest pitcher, Bret Saberhagen; strongest hitter, Mike Piazza; greatest athlete, Bo Jackson; and greatest manager, Dick Howser. ...

U.S. Figure Skating medalist Michael Weiss will be featured on AOL's Sports Live Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Weiss will talk about the March 16-23 World Figure Skating Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland. He will be followed in another chat room by NFL expert Fred Edelstein at 10 p.m. ... College basketball expert Mark Jones will be featured Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on AOL's Sports Live and University of Missouri coach Norm Stewart will talk about the NCAA Tournament Thursday night at 11 p.m. ...

The Sporting News is bringing back Tom "Killer" Kowalski's popular chat room just in time for an NFL draft preview. Each Wednesday night until the draft, Killer breaks down the potential draft picks and also provides in-depth fantasy football advice. Killer's Fantasy World is updated every Friday morning. He rates players by positions, runs a mock draft each week and writes newsy columns. To get Killer's chat, go to the TSN Talk screen at 10 p.m. each Wednesday and click on Go To Chat or simply click the chat button below. If you have questions email Killer at tsnkiller(AT)aol.com. ... NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip will be joining AOL's Athlete Direct Monday, March 18 at 9 p.m. for a live chat.

Plugged in

Have you discovered a great sports site or service on the Internet? Send suggestions to Sharon Robb: sha11cats(AT)aol.com.